Health and Safety in Early Years Services
Regulation 25 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 requires that a registered provider ensures that there is a person trained in First Aid for Children immediately available at all times to the pre-school children attending the early years service.
From the 1st June 2020, in order to meet this requirement, there must be at least one person who has undertaken FAR (First Aid Response) by a trainer approved by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) immediately available to the children at all times.
Please note: Due to COVID-19, Tusla has extended the timeframe for services to meet the requirement of having at least one person trained in FAR until the end of Feb 2021.
Tusla’s National Manager, Early Years inspectorate sets out the detail here: FAR Training Certification
Below are links to a number of Health and Safety publications which are relevant to the operating of an Early Years service.
- Critical Incidents in ELC and SAC Services – Planning and Responding
- Critical Incidents in ELC and SAC Services – Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing
- Tusla Guidance for the Early Learning and Care sector on sleep Aug 2023
- HPSC Isolation Quick Guide u13s (COVID-19 Isolation Guide)
- Guidance in preparing for and managing Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Swine Flu)
- Guide to Infection Prevention & Control for Childcare Facilities
- Management of Infectious Disease in Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare Settings
- HSE – 3 Week Menu Plan for Childcare Services
- HPU Food & Nutrition Guidelines for Pre-school Services
- Fire Safety for Pre-schools and Childcare Services – General Guidance
- HSE Advice for Food Businesses and Childcare Services during a Water Disruption
